WCS have been conducting surveillance for avian influenza among wild birds in Mongolia since 2005. Low densities of domestic poultry combined with an abundance of breeding, moulting and migrating wild birds make Mongolia the ideal location for increasing our understanding of the role that wild birds might play in the spread and maintenance of avian influenza viruses, including the highly pathogenic subtype H5N1.

Collaborating closely with the State Central Veterinary Laboratory, WCS have been implementing annual surveys to identify outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza as well as understanding how natural wild-type viruses circulate in wild birds. This work includes the capture and sampling of large numbers of wild birds for sampling and for marking studies (using color marks, leg bands and satellite telemetry) to highlight the migratory movements that Mongolian birds follow. Through these surveys and hands-on, practical training WCS works to compliment and contribute to the wider national surveillance program led by the Mongolian government.

Start and end dates

Our work began in July 2005, and we have funding secured until March 2012.

Funding

The project began in 2005 with start-up funds from FAO as an emergency response to the large avian influenza outbreak among wild birds in Qinghai province, China immediately south of Mongolia. We have then continued work through 2006 until 2009 under the cooperative agreement with USAID that has supported the Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (GAINS) program. In 2007 we secured additional funding from NIH-NIAID through the Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS) program under a subcontract to UCLA's CRISAR project. The CRISAR funding will cover activities until March 2012.

Project website